She was born, Shirley Marie Sweeney in Shutesbury, Massachusetts on September 22, 1929, daughter of Francis Patrick and Louise Gloria (Penney) Sweeney. When a fire destroyed their house, the family resettled in Richmond, NH. Upon graduating from Keene High School in 1947 Shirley completed a three-year nursing program earning her RN credentials from Elliott Community Hospital.
Shirley married Theron D. Fosdick, a career Navy pilot, on November 11, 1950 at the First Congregational Church of Swanzey. After 18 years of moving frequently from station to station, managing the social calendar of a Navy Officer and 4 children, Shirley and her family returned to New Hampshire settling in Swanzey in 1968.
Shirley was a giving nurturing person, serving as a nurse at Woodward Home in Keene for 18 years. She was a member of the First Congregational Church of Swanzey, serving on several committees over the years. She also volunteered at Gert’s Food Pantry and the Swanzey Museum. At Langdon Place Shirley was a long serving member of the Welcome Committee assisting new residents in their transition to a new home. She always had a smile and a kind greeting for all.
Shirley loved time spent with her family, enjoyed reading and gardening. Above all she enjoyed people and always had a smile and a kind word. She will be sorely missed.
Her survivors include a daughter, Marcia Lee and her husband, Kevin Breen of Templeton, MA.; a daughter, Penny Ann and her husband Doug Sidilau of Manchester, NH; a son, David Brian Fosdick and his wife Lisa of Melbourne, FL; a daughter, Jean Marie Fosdick of Merrimack, NH; ten grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren, whom all loved her and will miss her very much.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Shirley’s memory to The Community Kitchen of Keene, PO Box 1315, Keene, NH 03431 (www.thecommunitykitchen.org) or the First Congregational Church of Swanzey, PO Box 10041, Swanzey, NH 03446. Please be sure to mention Shirley’s name in your correspondence.
A celebration of Shirley’s life will be held on June 2nd at 1:00 pm at the First Congregational Church of Swanzey at 679 Old Homestead Highway, Swanzey, NH 03446.
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